A FORTNIGHT into his Anfield reign, Brendan Rodgers is plotting his first moves in the transfer market as Liverpool boss.

Hoffenheim’s attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was so impressive during his loan spell at Swansea in the second half of last season, appears increasingly likely to join up with his old manager.

Rodgers has compiled a shortlist of targets with a right-sided midfielder and another striker key to strengthening the squad.

All fans love to see their club doing business – it’s a sign of ambition – but just as important for the Northern Irishman this summer is holding on to Liverpool’s prized assets.

On the pitch at least, the opening week of Euro 2012 has been a revelation with so many intriguing battles untainted by cheating players or card-happy officials.

The eyes of the continent are fixed on Poland and Ukraine, and unquestionably one of the tournament’s outstanding performers so far has been Daniel Agger .

It was a source of pride for Kopites to see the Denmark skipper repel Holland’s advances so impressively in his nation’s shock win last weekend. Pre-match Agger had shrugged off the threat of Robin van Persie and then delivered on his promise to keep him quiet with a faultless display.

Agger led by example once again in Wednesday’s cracking tussle with Portugal which saw the Danes fight back from 2-0 down to level, only to concede a heart-breaking late winner.

Of course Reds fans haven’t learned anything new. Any Anfield regular will testify to the fact that when fit Agger is one of the most athletic, composed and classy centre-backs in Europe.

But it seems others are catching up. Agger’s performances at the Euros have earned rave reviews in Spain, fuelling reports that Jose Mourinho wants him at Real Madrid.

There’s nothing to suggest it’s anything other than pure speculation but if Mourinho is keen it wouldn’t be a surprise.

At 27, Agger is entering the peak of his career and has the talent to grace any stage. What club wouldn’t want him?

His current deal at Anfield runs until 2014 and Liverpool are desperate to tie him down to a new contract. Getting Agger to sign a new deal over the coming months is one of Rodgers’ priorities.

Always so comfortable bringing the ball out from the back, Agger appears ideally suited to the philosophy Rodgers intends to bring to Anfield. Few players read the game better and he will have a licence to express himself.

It promises to be a world away from two years ago when he quickly became disillusioned with life under Roy Hodgson after being ordered to repeatedly launch it long. Safety first was alien to him.

Agger will need to be convinced Liverpool are heading in the right direction after the false dawns of recent years.

When the defender arrived for £6million from Brondby in January 2006, he signed for the European champions. Now he’s facing up to a third successive season outside the Champions League.

The only frustration for fans regarding the Dane’s contribution over the past six and a half years has been Agger’s inability to stay fit. From broken metatarsals to back surgery, a catalogue of problems have limited him to 170 appearances.

Last season he had two separate spells on the sidelines after cracking ribs in innocuous incidents yet he still played in 27 league games – his best return since 2006/07.

At times his injury woes have led to people questioning whether Agger is really worth persevering with.

His performances at Euro 2012 have provided an emphatic answer. The sooner Liverpool get him to put pen to paper the better.

Sebastian Coates opens account for Uruguay

IT WASN’T as spectacular as the manner in which he opened his Liverpool account but Sebastian Coates ’ first strike for Uruguay was still highly significant.

The Reds centre-back, who struck a stunning volley at Loftus Road back in March, put his homeland en route to a vital 4-2 win over Peru in their World Cup qualifier in Montevideo.

Coates opened the scoring when his downward header evaded clubmate Luis Suarez, was fumbled by the keeper and crossed the line before it was hacked clear.

Victory was the perfect response to a 1-1 home draw with Venezuela and moved Uruguay up to second place in South American qualifying – a point adrift of Chile with a game in hand.

Liverpool FC young guns too good for Barcelona

LIVERPOOL’S Academy has made giant strides forward in recent years and that was underlined by the club’s triumph at the Premier League Under-11 Festival.

The young Reds dumped out Barcelona en route to lifting the trophy at the University of Warwick.

The two-day tournament involved 18 English teams as well as the Catalans, Ajax and Sporting Lisbon.

After finishing top of their group, Liverpool beat Barca on penalties after their semi-final finished 1-1.

The final against Fulham ended in stalemate but once again the Reds held their nerve to win the shootout.

Liverpool Academy Manager Steve Cooper said: “At this age group they just tend to play regional teams so it was a chance to play against other teams we don’t normally play against and see some different styles.

“Playing Barcelona is exciting enough as it is. I know our kids were made up just to be playing them. The way that both teams went about the game, trying to play the right way and with a carefree attitude, was brilliant.

“It’s obviously great to win and we’re really proud of the boys, but wherever we had finished up it would still have been a fantastic experience.”

The tournament was played in the nine-a-side format that will soon become mandatory for under-11s and under-12s as part of the FA’s reforms.

Liverpool FC keen on Birmingham teen star Foday Nabay

LIVERPOOL are keen to sign Birmingham City youngster Foday Nabay but no deal is yet in place.

The Reds have been tracking the highly-rated 14-year-old’s progress but face competition from Manchester City and Arsenal for his signature.

Sierra Leone-born Nabay, who can play up front or on the wing, has represented England at under-16 level.

LIVERPOOL will be watching with interest how Nick Powell does at Manchester United following his £3million switch from Crewe. The 18-year-old England youth international signed a four-year contract at OId Trafford this week.

The Reds came close to signing Powell for £250,000 two years ago but Dario Gradi vetoed the deal.

Contrary to reports elsewhere, Liverpool didn’t submit a bid this around as United beat off competition from Arsenal.